Bracelet



I Dec. 23, 1941. H. w. WALLACE 2,266,942

BRACELET Filed Oct. 24,1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 23, 1941. H. w. WALLACE 2,266,942

' BRACELET Filed Oct. 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5NEE Patented Dec. 23, 1941 rs PA ENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to an article of jewelry,

and more especially to a bracelet in which is incorporated a writing instrument such as a pencil.

It is widely known that the majority of pockets in ladies wearing apparel were not designed to carry pencils or the like. As a result writing implements are generally carried in handbags,

which practice has many objectionable features.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a bracelet which is designed to contain a pencil.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination bracelet and pencil in which the bracelet forms the body portion of the pencil.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination bracelet and pencil, the bracelet being formed of a material which when positioned around the wrist will remain in place.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination bracelet and pencil in which the bracelet is formed of a material which is adapted to hold normally the bracelet in a straight osition, the structure further being provided with means whereby the bracelet can be maintained in a coiled position around the wrist.

To achieve the above and other objects, this invention embraces broadlythe idea of providing the combination of a-bracelet and a pencil in which the bracelet is constructed in such a manner that it will form the body of the pencil when the pencil is in use Moreover, this body portion is designed to encircle the wrist and to serve as an ornament when it is not desired to use the pencil.

In the drawings, in which like numerals indicate the same or similar parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bracele in its coiled position around a wrist.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracelet shown in Figure 1 in its substantially straight position.

Figure 3 is a fragmental, transverse, sectional view of the bracelet showing the manner in which the pencil is maintainedin the bracelet.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the bracelet showing the manner in which the metal coil is wrapped around the base member of the bracelet.

Figure 5 is a transverse, sectional view of a second form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bracelet shown in Figure 5 in a coiled position.

Figure '7is a fragmental plan view of the pencil portion of the bracelet.

Figure 8 is a fragmental, transverse, sectional view of the bracelet showing the manner in which the bracelet is joined when in coiled position.

Figure 9 is a view taken along line 99 of Figure 5, looking'in the direction of the arrows.

As best shown in Figures 1 through 4, one form of this invention comprises a piece of jewelry, generally designated by the numeral I, which comprises a body member 2, an outer cover 3, a base 4, and a pencil unit 5. The base member 4 may be of any suitable artistic design, such as the head of the serpent disclosed in the drawings, and is longitudinally bored to form a channel 6 in which is mounted the pencil unit 5. One extremity of this head portion is reduced in size to form a neck portion 1 which is provided with an annular groove 8.

The pencil unit 5 may be of any suitable design, such as the well known Eversharp construction. As shown in the drawings, the lead and cap portion 9 projects from the open mouth of'the serpent head 4 to give the illusion of a serpents tongue. The pencil unit 5 is rigidly attached to the holder 4 by any suitable means such as the pins Ill.

The body member 2 is formed of a tube of any suitable ductile metal such as a lead alloy. The tube tapers progressively from its inner to its outer extremity and the inner extremity is of sufficient diameter to encircle the neck portion 7 of the holder 4. The body member 2 is firmly attached to the holder 4 by means of a bead II which is drawn sufficiently to force the ductile material into the groove 8.

The cover 3 may be of any suitable material, construction, and design. Preferably on this form of the invention a flexible metallic strip is used which is spirally wrapped from one extremity of the body member 2 to the other. This wrapping may be provided with any suitable ornamental design.

' If desired, the body member 2 can be strengthened either by reducing the size of the base or eliminating it and leaving only a hollow end to carry the base 4. Moreover, the bore can be reduced in size over that shown in the drawings.

In operation the body member 2 can be straightened as shown in Figure 2 so as to form a body for the pencil unit 5. In this connection it should be noted that, although the selected metal for the body member 2 is sufiiciently ductile to allow it to be straightened, it is also sufficiently inflexible to permit an effective use of it as a body for the pencil. When the use of the device as a pencil is completed, it may be formed into a bracelet by curving the body portion 2 around the wrist of the user as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, by means of this construction the device may be used both as a bracelet and as a pencil, the body portion 2 performing a double function.

In the modification shown in Figures 5 through 9, numbers on parts corresponding to those previously described have been primed. In this form of the invention the body member 2 is composed of a spiral spring, the size of the coil of which may vary so as to produce the necessary taper to simulate gracefully a serpent. Preferably, it is advisable to have the spring coiled tightly enough to permit each adjacent coil to lie tightly against the other. This method gives Til the spring more rigidity when in the pencil form.

Approximately the first inch of coil is'reenforced by solder as shown at to produce absolute rigidity in order to protect the inner extremity of the pencil unit 5 which is mounted in the base 4' in any suitable manner, such as by the means previously described in connection with the first described modification of the invention. The soldered end of the body portion of the base 4' is cut away to form slots 22and 23 in which remains an uncut portion forming a clip 24 of slightly resilient metal. Of course, if desired this clip may be independently mounted on the holder 4.

Normally because of the resilient coil spring structure, which has previously been described, of the body portion 2, the device will maintain the extended position shown in Figure 5. In this position it is ready for use as a pencil and the body member 2' is of suiiicient rigidity to enable it to be used as the body of the pencil.

When it is desired to use the device as a bracelet, it is coiled as shown in Figure 6 and the outer tapered end of the body member 2 is forced under the clip 24 as shown in section in Figure 8. In this position the projection 25 on the clip will pass through the open end of the body member formed by the last coil and engage one of the remaining metal coils, thereby preventing the body portion 2' from returning to the straight position shown in Figure 5..

In another form of my invention, manufacturing costs can be reduced by eliminating the base 4'. In this form of the invention the body portion 2 is made of a coiled wire spring, one extremity of which is dip soldered approximately one inch. While the solder is hot, the lead feed mechanism 5 is inserted into the hollow soldered end of the spring body. When the solder cools, the leaded end of the body shrinks tightly around the securing surface of the lead feed mechanism which is grooved or knurled thereby assuring a tight union between the two members. In this cheaper version of the bracelet, the body portion 2 may be covered with a brightly colored yarn mesh.

While for purposes of illustration Ihave only shown a few forms of my invention, it is obvious that various changes in the ornamental design of any of the exterior parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, the type of pencil unit employed and the materials selected for the remaining portions cat the device may be varied.

For the above reasons it is to be understood that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claims:

1. A bracelet comprising a base member provided with a reduced inner extremity, a tubular elongated body member, said member tapering progressively from its inner to its outer extremity, and the circumference of the inner extremity of the tubular member being of sufficient size to encircle the said reduced end portion of the base member, means to hold the said inner extremity of the body portion and reduced portion of the base member in operative engagement, a pencil mounted in the base member, means to rigidly secure an outer portion of the pencil to the base member, said pencil extending from the outer extremity of said channel, and a cover encircling said body member, said body member being made of a material sufficiently rigid to serve when in extended positoin as the body of the pencil and being sufiiciently flexible to be bent into the form of a bracelet.

2. A bracelet comprising a base member provided with a reduced inner extremity, an annular flange on said reduced portion, a tubular elongated body member, said member tapering progressively from its inner to its outer extremity, and the circumference of the inner extremity of the tubular member being of sufficient size to encircle the said reduced end portion of the base member, a flexible holding means encircling the inner extremity of the tubular member and being drawn sufficiently to force the tubular member into engagement with said flange, and a pencil mounted in the base member and extending from the extremity of the base member opposite the said reduced portion, said body member being of a material sufliciently rigid to serve when in extended position as the body of the pencil and being sufficiently flexible to be bent into the form of a bracelet.

3. A bracelet comprising a base member provided with a reduced inner extremity, a tubular elongated body portion of a material of a class having properties of flexib lity similar to pure lead, said member tapering progressively from its inner to its outer extremity, and the circumference of the inner extremity of the tubular member being of suificient size to encircle the said reduced end portion of the base member, means holding the inner extremity of the body portion and reduced portion of the base member in operative engagement, a pencil mounted in the base member, means to rigidly secure an outer portion of the pencil to the base member, said pencil extending from the outer extremity oi the said channel, and a cover encircling said body member, said cover consisting of a metallic strip spirally wrapped about the body member,

the lead alloy forming said body member being sufliciently rigid to serve when in extended position as the body of the pencil and being sufliciently flexible to be bent into the form of a bracelet.

4. A bracelet comprising an elongated body member composed of coiled springs, said tubular member tapering progressively from its inner, to its outer extremity and being provided with a longitudinally extending channel open at both ends, a base member secured to the inner extremity of said body member, a pencil unit mounted in the said base member, a cover encircling said body member, the outer extremity of said cover terminating short of the outerextremity of the body member, and a clip associated with said base member,' said body member being designed to serve as the body of the pencil when in extended position, and said clip' member being adapted to extend through the opening in the outer extremity of the body member and operatively engage the coiled springs when the body member is flexed to form a bracelet.

5. A bracelet comprising an elongated body member composed of coiled springs, said tubular member tapering progressively from its inner to its outer extremity and being provided with a longitudinally extending channel open at both ends, a base member secured to the inner extremity of said body member, said base member being longitudinally bored to form a channel, a pencil unit positioned'in said channel, means to rigidly secure an outer portion of the pencil to said base member, said pencil extending from the outer extremity of the said channel, a cover encircling said body member, the outer extremity of said cover terminating short of the outer extremity of the body member, and a clip associated with said base member, said body member being designed to serve as the body of the pencil when in extended position, and said clip member being adapted to extend through the opening in the outer extremity of the body member and operatively engage the coiled springs when the body member is flexed to form a bracelet.

6. A bracelet comprising an elongated body member, said member tapering progressively from its inner to its outer extremity, a channel extending longitudinally through the said member, a base member secured to the inner extremity of said body member, a channel extending longitudinally through said base member, a pencil unit positioned in said channel, said unit being secured to said base member, said pencil extending from the outer extremity of said channel, and said body member being of a material sufiiciently rigid to serve when in an extended position as the body. of the pencil and being sufficiently flexible to be bent into the form and preserve the contour of a bracelet.

7. A bracelet comprising an elongated body member, a channel extending longitudinally through the said member, a base member secured to the inner extremity of said body member, a channel extending longitudinally through said base member, a pencil unit positioned in said channel, said unit being secured to said base member, said pencil extending from the outer extremity of said channel, and said body member being of a material suificiently rigid to serve when in an extended position as the body of the pencil and being sufficiently flexible to be bent into the form and preserve the contour of a bracelet.

HENRY W. WALLACE. 

